By Andrew Mason | via Student Voice | October 31, 2016 |
The amplifiers are set, the microphone is on, the heat from the blinding multicolored lights add to the sweat dripping from their noses. Azar’s Sports Bar rises to its feet as the four musicians take the stage late on a mid-October night. The crowd roars as the guitars begin to ring throughout the bar, energy spreading like wildfire.
Meet Static: the alternative rock group that has made its way to Moorpark College this year with two of the four current members, bassist Shane Hewitt, 18, and lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Mikey Netka, 18, as part of the freshman class.
Original band member Netka first discovered his love of music in the fourth grade after watching the rock and roll themed movie hit “School of Rock.” And when former bassist Kyle Hart approached him, the dream of starting a band with his best friends became a realistic possibility.
“After [Hart] asked me to start the band I said yes just because I thought it would be something fun to do in my free time,” said Netka. “I never knew I would be centering my life around it!”
Founded in early 2015, Static was started by four close friends attending Newbury Park High School, whose love of music cultivated into what is it today. Along with Netka and Hewitt, the band also features lead guitarist Zane Vandevort, 18, and drummer Trevor Smith, 17.
Starting a band with friends from the ground up is easier said than done. As high school students in their first band, the original members of Static faced some early obstacles.
“A major challenge we had in the beginning was trying to [find] a sound that fit us,” said Netka. “It was also difficult at first to connect and become tight as a band, but that all comes with time.”
Despite these early challenges, the locally-renowned Newbury Park and Thousand Oaks area band remains optimistic on what is up ahead for them including a debut album and an upcoming gig on Nov. 18 at the prestigious Whiskey a Go Go in West Hollywood.
“The band, as it is today, is stronger than ever,” said Netka. “With all the connections we already have, I personally see the band having a very bright future.”
The band first gained early popularity with fellow classmates at Newbury Park High School, such as 18-year-old Kate Foultz who graduated in 2016 alongside Netka, Hewitt, and Vandevort.
“All the band members have always brought great energy to the stage,” said Foultz. “I’ve always been a huge fan of [Netka] and I really hope him and the rest of the band get the opportunity to play at some larger venues in the future.”
Static is not formally under any record label at the moment, but does receive assistance from Suburban Noize Records, an independent record label centered in Burbank. Sean “Chapslife” Chapman, 31-year-old music producer and musical director who works with Suburban Noize Records, has been helping Static elevate to the next stage of their career.
“These boys are definitely one of the more naturally-talented young bands in the northern Los Angeles area,” said Chapman. “They are not just a surf and skate punk band, but have a fearless drive to play their instruments well, write good songs and perform as a tight unit live.”
When it comes to moving the band to the next level, the most important task on Chapman and Static’s plate has been to finish the first full-length album.
“Once this [debut] album is done, there will be talks with labels and getting these boys on radio shows,” said Chapman.
Although three of the four members of Static have graduated high school, they remain local and aim to not only keep the band running, but to reach new heights. One major goal is to spread their music to fellow Raiders here at Moorpark College.
“We would love to play a show on campus!” said Netka. “It would be a great experience for us and a great way to share our music with our peers.”
Static will be playing their next show Nov. 18 at the infamous Whiskey a Go Go in West Hollywood. To keep up to date with Static and for more information on future events, follow them on Instagram @static.band or on Twitter @static__band.
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